RACING SEASON OPENS SATURDAY AT HASTINGS WITH AN INVIGORATING BUZZ IN THE AIR
Posted: April 25, 2008
Vancouver, B.C. (April 25/08) – Opening Day: There’s nothing quite like it in the world of sports. Traditionally, it is a time to envision great things happening in the weeks and months ahead; a time when enthusiasm and optimism can run freely and unharnessed.
Such will be the scene at Hastings Racecourse this weekend – Opening Weekend – with the start of the 2008 thoroughbred racing season that is destined to mark the beginning of an exciting new era on the local sports and entertainment scene.
“We have faced some difficult times in the past and we still have some challenges in the future,” says general manager Raj Mutti. “But we’re moving forward with a great sense of confidence.”
Mutti sites several reasons for such a positive attitude and it begins with the fact that purses this year will hit the $12 million level over a 71-day race card that runs from April 26 to November 2.
Stakes purses this year have increased to $2.7 million with most of last year’s champion horses returning, including BC Derby winner Celtic Dreamin and Sovereign Award winners Dancing Allstar and True Metropolitan. “The real stars of our show are the horses and jockeys,” Mutti says. “At Hastings, we’re fortunate enough to have first-class product in both categories.”
The top eight jockeys from last season have returned with leading rider Mario Gutierrez ready to defend his 2007 leading rider title. Marvelous Mario, just 21, swept the top jockey award last year with 134 victories including nine stakes wins for an incredible $1.7 million in purses.
Opening weekend – 1:25 p.m. starts both Saturday and Sunday – gives fans their first opportunity during a live racing card to check out the new Gaming Floor that features 150 slots.
An all-expense trip for two to this year’s Breeders’ Cup in Santa Anita Oct. 24-25 will be given away during opening weekend at Hastings. Courtesy of VIP Travel, the package includes airfare, hotel and transfers. Racing fans become eligible simply by filling out a ballot in person at the Gaming Floor Guest Services this weekend.
The entire 2008 racing schedule – including 41 stakes races – are available on the Hastings Racecourse website at www.hastingsracecourse.com.
For racing related inquiries: Raj Mutti 604.251.0445
For media & entertainment inquiries: Howard Blank 604.512.6066
